Okay. So you want Free Republic to be an on line conservative war room where tacticians plan strategy and field generals organize the troops. The only problem I see with this is 95% of the Freepers. Just how far are you suggesting expanding the definition of a troll? Do you ban everyone on the American Idol threads? The Official Friday Silliness Threads? Anyone who posts caption-this-picture threads? You could weed out 75% of the posts on this thread as being completely irrelevant. Of course, that also weeds out 75% of the posters.
There are several mechanisms used on the religious forum for threads to limit interference. The religionmoderator page has definitions of different thread types they use to weed out the shenanigans. I'm sure the same thing could be applied to Activism so that only the hard core battle ready need apply. But you will also limit your pool of recruits somewhat.
I think there are plenty of opportunities here for organization and planning. But I don't see how banning people and weeding out the "lazy, apathetic or liberal posters" is going to turn Free Republic into a lean, mean conservative fighting machine.
I have no idea what the ownership of Free Republic plans for the future of the site, nor will I try to project my thoughts on them or dazzle them with my vision of how they should do their jobs. I enjoy the product as it is, even with it's faults.
As for war, this war has raged in several incarnations since the Federalists and Anti-Federalists were writing letters to the editor. Some people are always in war mode. Some never will be. Feel free to draw your sword, raise your flag and charge the hill. If you are a good enough leader with a good enough plan people will follow you.
Artemis Webb and Kevmo, I ping you to this because I think it also relates to your 'spat.'
Yes but you would also put out of work the double post and ideology police.
Some FReepers need to quit taking themselves so seriously. Everybody just needs to lighten up and enjoy FR as it is.
Okay. So you want Free Republic to be an on line conservative war room where tacticians plan strategy and field generals organize the troops. The only problem I see with this is 95% of the Freepers. Just how far are you suggesting expanding the definition of a troll?
***I’m only suggesting that we stick with the current mod-generated definition of troll. They don’t even follow that definition on that thread.
COINTELPRO Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum. (Trolling 101)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165967/posts
Do you ban everyone on the American Idol threads? The Official Friday Silliness Threads? Anyone who posts caption-this-picture threads?
***No.
You could weed out 75% of the posts on this thread as being completely irrelevant. Of course, that also weeds out 75% of the posters.
***You’ve got my position wrong if you think I’m advocating weeding people out. I’m only advocating an idealogy litmus matrix so that a Freeper can look up your profile and see if it’s a waste of time to respond to you or me.
There are several mechanisms used on the religious forum for threads to limit interference. The religionmoderator page has definitions of different thread types they use to weed out the shenanigans. I’m sure the same thing could be applied to Activism so that only the hard core battle ready need apply. But you will also limit your pool of recruits somewhat.
***I have actually promoted such an idea very similar to this but it requires that the mods be in agreement. They are not. The religion mod does an outstanding job and his/her work is exemplary. I took it one step further by opening crevo threads under the religion ecumenical tag and those threads were very cordial in comparison to their open counterparts.
I think there are plenty of opportunities here for organization and planning. But I don’t see how banning people and weeding out the “lazy, apathetic or liberal posters” is going to turn Free Republic into a lean, mean conservative fighting machine.
***I never suggested banning on the basis of idealogy.
I have no idea what the ownership of Free Republic plans for the future of the site, nor will I try to project my thoughts on them or dazzle them with my vision of how they should do their jobs. I enjoy the product as it is, even with it’s faults.
***I suppose I could say I enjoy the product as it is, even with its faults as well. I just have a strong desire for a better product.
As for war, this war has raged in several incarnations since the Federalists and Anti-Federalists were writing letters to the editor. Some people are always in war mode. Some never will be. Feel free to draw your sword, raise your flag and charge the hill. If you are a good enough leader with a good enough plan people will follow you.
***Interesting analogy. Your analogy wobbles because the designated leaders are the ones who are responsible for charging the hill. But the designated leaders in the GOP just want to play it safe in their foxhole.
Artemis Webb and Kevmo, I ping you to this because I think it also relates to your ‘spat.’
***Please re-read my posts with respect to the idealogy litmus matrix. I never propose banning people on the basis of their idealogy. My goal is to remove the facade that CINOs operate from, remove their cover. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
Agreed!
If someone wants to organize and plan, all they need do is do so.
The rest is an often invigorating exchange of ideas and information.
If you take everything out of the soup that someone doesn't like, you eventually end up with a pot of water.
While I, too tire of the trolls on occasion, especially the ones who seem to post anti-conservative defeatist messages--not ideas, not demands of the GOP, just the "all is lost, woe is me" variety--I have chosen to ignore them.
In the words of John Paul Jones, "I have not yet begun to fight!".